M*.  PERKINS' 

ORATION 

UPON 

GENIUS. 


4. 


NEW  ENGLAND 
HISTORIC,  GENEALOGICAL  SOCIETY. 


SOLICITED  BY 


A N 


ORATION 

UPON 

GENIUS, 

PRONOUNCED  AT  THE 

ANNIVERSARY  COMMENCEMENT 

O F 

HARVARD  UNIVERSITY  in-  Cambridge, 

JULY  I9,  I797. 


By  JOSEPH  PERKINS,  A.  M. 

— WOK  0K-~ 


0.4  <s> 


o 


BOSTON: 

Printed  by  Manning  iff  Loring, 

For  JOSEPH  NANCREDE , No.  49,  Marlin'  Street. 


1 797* 


■;  ' 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/orationupongeniuOOperk 


I 


TO  THE 

PATRONS 

O F 

COLUMBIAN  GENIUS, 

THE  FOLLOWING 

Oration 

IS  MOST  RESPECTFULLY 


A 2 


A N 


ORATION  UPON  GENIUS, 


genius  in  a well  conftituted  republic  ; and  to  prove  by 
arguments  drawn  from  incontrovertible  fad,  that  United 
Columbia  is  inferior  to  no  nation  on  earth  in  the  rich- 
eft  endowments  of  fancy  and  intelled ; — is  the  prefent 
intention  of  him,  who  now  with  diffidence  foliciis  the 
indulgence  of  this  truly  polite  and  refpedable  audience. 

Should  the  fpeaker  prove  fo  unfortunate  as  to  pro- 
voke the  exulting  critic’s  farcaitic  fneer  by  his  choice 
of  a theme,  he  would  urge,  as  his  apology,  the  extreme 
difficulty,  and,  he  might  add,  the  abfolute  impoifibility, 
of  feleding  for  this  annually  returning  folemnity  a topic 
at  once  novel,  entertaining,  and  unexceptionable.  Were 
he  to  indulge  the  defpicable  wifh  of  obtaining  at  every 


O mark  the  peculiar  operation  of 
liberty  on  mental  exertion  and 
improvement ; to  exhibit  a few 
of  the  beneficial  effeds  refulting 
from  the  liberal  encouragement  of 


hazard 


L 8 ] 

hazard  a momentary  burft  of  applaufe,  he  could  not 
hefitate  to  attempt  the  difcuflion  of  fomc  contefted 
political  queftion.  As  that  difcordant  firing  rarely  fails 
of  returning  a jarring  note  of  tranfient  and  partial  ap- 
probation even  to  the  rudeft  touch  of  the  moft  unfkilful 
hand,  his  efforts  might  doubtlefs  have  been  crowned 
with  fo  worthlefs  a meed.  But  he  feared  to  incur  the 
unpardonable  guilt  of  interrupting  that  harmony,  good 
humor,  and  friendfhip  which  ought  ever  to  predominate 
on  this  literary  feftfval.  He  likewife  reflefted,  that,  as 
he  could  not  feel  perfonally  interefted  in  the  refult  of  a 
difquifition  upon  genius , his  acknowledged  inability  to 
do  juftice  to  fo  noble  a theme  might  in  fome  degree  be 
compenfated  by  that  unprejudiced  impartiality,  which 
in  the  prefent  inftance  he  can  fafely  boaft,  and  which 
is  an  indifpenfable  prerequifite  to  the  fuccefsful  invefti- 
gation  of  truth.  The  fubjeSt,  which  after  much  delib- 
eration he  has  thus  leleded,  he  conceives,  cannot  be 
deemed  altogether  impertinent  to  an  occafion,  which 
has  juft  exhibited  fo  many  promifing  fpecimens  of  na- 
tive ingenuity  and  cultivated  tafte. 

Vague  and  indeterminate  as  is  the  idea  not  unfre- 
quently  annexed  to  the  word  genius,  a minute  and  la- 
bored explication  of  fo  familiar  a term  cannot  here  be 
thought  neceffary,  and  will  not  now  be  attempted,  fn 
general  acceptation  it  is  significant  of  thofe  varioufly 
modified  intellectual  powers,  uncommon  in  kind  or  de- 
gree, by  the  poffrlfion,  cultivation,  and  exertion  of 
which,  an  individual  is  enabled  to  rife  fuperior  to  the 
great  mafs  of  mankind,  and  by  fome  extraordinary  pro- 
duction, beneficial  improvement,  or  difficult  and  impor- 
tant difcovery,  to  bear  away  the  palm  of  excellence 
from  his  envious  or  gratefully  admiring  cotemporaries. 

This 


I 9 1 

.This  concife  expofition  of  our  fubjedl  may  be  as  per- 
tinent and  adequate  to  our  purpofe,  as  a more  tedious, 
explicit,  and  artificial  definition. 

Our  firft  object  is  to  mark  the  peculiar  operation  of 
liberty  on  mental  exertion  and  improvement. 

That  a free  government  has  a natural  and  an  infepa- 
rable  connexion  with  every  fpecies  of  poffible  excel- 
lence, has  often  been  a topic  of  enthufiaftic  declamation. 
How  far  fo  unqualified  a pofition  may  with  juftice  be  ap- 
plied to  the  point  before  us,  a more  attentive  confidera- 
tion  of  the  fubjeft  will  enable  us.  with  fome  degree  of 
precifion  to  determine. 

The  unreftrained  liberty  of  the  prefs,  which  is  ex- 
prefsly  or  virtually  recognifed  by  all  the  American 
conftitutions,  a privilege  in  its  utmoft  latitude  peculiar 
to  our  country,  and  like  every  other  privilege  too  fre- 
quently abufed,  is  no  lefs  efficacioully  conducive  to  the 
fuccefsful  cultivation  of  talents,  than  it  is  favorable  to 
the  diffemination  of  knowledge,  and  “ elfential  to  the 
fecurity  of  freedom  in  a ftate.”  Curiofity,  fpeculation, 
inquiry,  inveftigation,  and  exertion,  are  likewife  here 
completely  emancipated  from  the  chains  of  defpotifni 
and  the  galling  fetters  of  monkifh  ignorance  and  fuper- 
flition,  and  the  eagle  genius  is  at  full  liberty  to  plume 
and  expand  her  vigorous  wings,  to  traverfe  the  airy 
regions  of  deathlefs  fame,  and  to  build  her  neft  among, 
the  ftars.  We  have  here  no  Socrates  compelled  to 
fwallow  the  fatal  hernloc  ; no  Galileo  Ihuddering  at 
the  terrors  of  a diabolical  inquifition  ; “ no  Bacon 
trembling  for  his  brazen  head.”  Surely  genius  muft  be 
an  exotic  too  delicate  for  our  climate,  or,  if  indigenous , 
its  fpontaneous  (hoots  muft  be  choked  by  the  ranker 
weeds  of  criminal  inattention,  or  it  cannot  but  fiourilh 
in  a foil  like  ours.  As 


C 10  ] 

As  knowledge  is  a fundamental  pillar  in  the  fair 
fabric  of  liberty,  without  which  that  noble  ftru&ure 
mull  fall  to  the  ground,  and  as  it  is  of  courfe  a leading. 
objeCt  of  our  laws  to  extend  the  means  of  information 
to  every  clafs  of  our  citizens,  we  cannot  in  this  country 
feel  the  full  force  of  that  beautiful  complaint  of  the 
poet  in  its  metaphorical  application,  that 

“ Many  a flower  is  born  to  blufti  unfeeil, 

And  wafte  its  fweetnefs  on  the  defert  air.” 

Thofe  rudiments  of  learning,  of  which  fcarce  an  in-- 
dividual  in  the  United  States  can  innocently  be 
deftitute,  inconliderable  as  they  may  appear  compared 
with  the  acquifitions  of  a finilhed  education,  by  re- 
moving the  fmothering  allies  of  total  ignorance  from 
the  dormant  embers  of  genius,  are  often  found  fuffi- 
cient  to  kindle  into  a flame  thofe  latent  intellectual 
fires,  which  are  calculated  to  enlighten  and  adorn  the 
world,  but  which  might  otherwife  have  flept  in  eter- 
nal obfcurity.  The  votaries  at  the  temple  of  Colum- 
bian fame  cannot  fail  to  derive  many  valuable  accellions 
from  a fource  at  once  fo  pure,  fo  copious,  and  fo  pecu- 
liar to  that  excellent  government,  which  it  is  our  lingu- 
lar felicity  to  enjoy,  and  our  unalterable  refolution  at 
every  hazard  to.  fupport. 

The  univerfal  diffusion  of  knowledge,  which  diftin- 
guifhes  the  United  States  from  the  reft  of  the  world,  by 
exciting  a literary  thirft  among  the  people  in  general, muft 
alfo  render  the  patrons  of  ingenuity  and  tafte  infinitely 
more  numerous,  than  they  can  poffibly  be  in  thofe  na- 
tions, where  the  means,  the  pleafures,  and  the  advant- 
ages of  information  are  confined  within  the  limited  cir- 
cles of  nobility  and  wealth.  This  confideration  furnifhes 

an 


E « 3 

an  additional  argument  to  prove  the  beneficial  operation 
of  liberty  on  mental  exertion  and  improvement. 

A republican  conftitution,  by  rendering  every  meri- 
torious citizen  eligible  to  the  mod  dignified  and  lucra- 
tive offices  of  date,  mud  of  neceffity  have  a very  happy 
and  efficacious  influence  on  the  cultivation  of  talents. 
So  long  as  real  abilities  ffiall  conftitute  an  indifpenfabie 
qualification  in  every  candidate  for  public  honor  and 
confidence,  and  continue  to  meet  their  deferved  reward, 
Columbian  genius  cannot  want  a very  powerful  incen- 
tive to  the  mofl  ftrenuous  exertion.  A theory  lo  prob- 
able might  eafily  be  eftabliffied  by  undeniable  fafts,  did 
not  common  obfervation  preclude  the  neceffity. 

Thefe  may  fairly  be  enumerated  among  the  fuperior 
privileges  and  advantages,  which  genius  enjoys  under 
the  aufpices  of  liberty.  But  while  it  cannot  be  denied, 
that  even  the  frigid  zone  of  delpotifm  has  produced 
fome  of  the  faireft,  mod  delicious,  and  mature  ft  fruits 
of  human  ingenuity,  fo  uncontrollable  are  the  native  en- 
ergies of  the  mind  \ we  are  compelled,  though  with 
extreme  reluctance,  to  acknowledge,  that  in  fome  few 
refpedts  a republic  like  ours  is  calculated  to  extend  a 
lefs  generous  patronage  to  intellectual  endowments,  than 
is  afforded  by  thofe  defective  political  eftabliffiments, 
which  are  moft  prevalent  in  the  world.  A few  more 
particular  obfervations  on  this  point  may  be  of  fome 
utility,  and  will  be  neceffary  to  complete  our  original 
defign. 

In  a country  where  “ all  men  are  born  free  and 
equal,”  the  acquifition  of  wealth  will  ever  be  a prime 
objeft  of  univeifal  attention.  Rejefting  with  fcorn  that 
.bantling  of  folly  and  degradation,  the  idea  .that  birth  or 
family  can  confer  any  real  fuperiority,  every  individual 


is 


£ 12  ] 

as  convinced,  that  his  importance,  refpedlability,  and 
influence  in  fociety  muff  refult  either  from  his  abilities, 
•his  virtues,  or  his  property.  As  the  latter  is  much 
more  eafily  attainable,  and  unfortunately  in  much  higher 
■eftimation,  than  either  of  the  former,  we  cannot  be 
greatly  furprifed  to  And  its  votaries  fo  numerous,  fo  in- 
defatigable, and  fo  fuccefsful.  A paflion  for  wealth  af- 
fumes  fo  naturally  the  empire  of  the  human  heart,  that 
its  irrefiftible  influence  and  its  deplorable  effedts  are 
more  than  fufficiently  vifible  even  in  thofe  nations,  where 
the  mod  enormous  affluence  can  never  attain  the  confe- 
rence nor  ufurp  the  prerogatives  of  titled  nobility. 
But  a conftitution  founded  on  the  broad  balls  of  natural 
equality,  and  a country  abounding  in  all  the  fources  of 
wealth,  afford  to  avarice  the  moll  fertile  field,  where  by 
a fpontaneous  growth  and  a too  affxduous  cultivation  this 
noxious  weed  attains  the  molt  luxuriant  maturity.  If 
the  tender  germe  of  genius  Ihould  not  be  altogether 
overpowered  and  deflroyed  by  fo  exuberant  and  poifon- 
ous  a plant,  it  can  never  expand  and  flourilh,  while 
thus  deprived  of  needful  culture,  and  the  invigorating 
rays  of  attentive  encouragement.  The  moll:  fuperficial 
obfervation  will  evince  the  juflice  of  this  conclufion. 
The  richefi:  gifts  of  nature  are  fometimes  buried  behind 
a counter,  and  even  ten  talents  wrapped  up  in  a napkin. 
A fine  genius  gravely  occupied  in  meafuring  tapes  and 
ribbons  mull  be  a fpe&acle  peculiar  to  our  country,  and 
by  a foreigner  would  be  ranked  among  our  greateft  cu- 
riofities.  A recent  fadt  may  be  adduced  to  elucidate 
the  fubjedt  and  corroborate  our  pofition.  Several  well 
diredted  efforts  have  lately  been  made  to  eftablifh  a pe- 
riodical repofitory  for  the  fugitive  and  occafional  pro- 
dudlions  of  ingenuity  and  tafte  in  our  enlightened  and 

wealthy 


I 13  ] 

wealthy  metropolis.  Thefe  laudable  endeavors  to  in- 
ftrudt  and  amufe,all  excellent  in  defign,  and  fome  of 
them  no  lefs  excellent  in  their  execution,  have  been 
fuffered  to  expire  in  rapid  fuccellion,  crufhed  by  the 
Herculean  gralp  of  difappointed  expectation  and  unre- 
warded exertion.  So  pernicious  is  the  operation  of  that 
unremitted,  univerfal,  and  exclufive  attention  to  the  ac- 
quifition  of  wealth,  which  characterizes  Americans,  on 
the  interefts  of  literature,  and  on  the  exercife  and  im- 
provement of  the  mental  powers. 

In  thofe  countries  where  ariftocracy  forms  a con- 
ftituent  and  an  effential  part  of  the  government,  we  fome- 
times  find  an  elegant  and  a cultivated  tafle  fuperadded. 
to  an  ample  unalienable  patrimony.  When  leifure,  in- 
clination, and  ability  are  thus  happily  united,  genius  is 
ever  fure  to  obtain  a protecting  afylum  and  a generous 
patronage.  Inftances  of  this  kind  not  unfrequentfy  oc- 
cur in  the  annals  of  modern  Europe,  and  grateful  an- 
tiquity is  loud  in  the  praifes  of  a Pollio  and  a Mecenas. 
But  this  rich  refource  of  negleCted  merit  and  want-de- 
preffed  talents  is  entirely  cut  off,  though,  doubtlefs, 
amply  compenfated,  by  the  gavelkind  equality  of  our 
democratical  republic. 

The  conquerors  and  defpot-s  of  the  earth  have  ever 
been  careful  to  avail  themfelves  of  the  magic  powers  of 
genius  to  varnilh  over  their  crimes,  to  gild  the  bitter 
pill  of  flavery,  and  to  blazon  forth  their  triumphs  and 
achievements.  This  prudent  and  well  judged  policy, 
as  unneceflavy  as  it  is  unknown  in  a republic,  has  often 
afforded  to  talents  the  moll  liberal  encouragement,  and 
thus  conferred  an  unintentional  benefit  on  the  world. 
And  while  we  fmcerely  regret  that  the  heaven-defcend- 
B ed 


[ 14  ] 

ed  Mufe  fiiould  ever  doop  to  flatter  the  ears  of  an  exe- 
crable tyrant,  or  to  fwell  the  clarion  of  fame  with  the 
fanguinary  praifes  of  a murderous  conqueror,  it  is  no 
fmall  confolation  to  refledt,  that,  like  nature’s  great 
chymid  the  bee,  (he  can  extradt  the  choiceft,  the  mod 
falubrious  fweets  from  the  bittered  and  mod  unfavory 
flower,  and  from  the  mod  deleterious  and  noifome  plant. 

Thus  we  have  attempted  to  trace  the  peculiar  opera- 
tion of  liberty  on  mental  exertion  and  improvement. 
We  have  endeavored  to  draw  a parallel  between  our 
own  government  and  that  of  mod  other  nations,  fo  far 
only  as  relates  diredlly  to  our  fubjedf,  and  we  have 
the  fatisfadiion  to  believe,  that  in  this,  as  in  every  other, 
refpedt  the  balance  on  the  whole  is  greatly  in  favor  of 
United  Columbia.  But  as  it  is  a fubjedt  of  ferious  con- 
cern and  regret,  that  in  a Angle  folitary  indance  our 
country  fhould  yield  to  any  other  on  earth  in  patronif- 
ing,  rewarding,  and  honoring  talents,  we  fhall  now  pro- 
ceed to  exhibit  a few  of  the  beneficial  efFe<5ls  refulting 
from  the  liberal  encouragement  of  genius  in  a well  con- 
flituted  republic. 

That  knowledge  is  a fundamental  pillar  in  the  temple 
of  liberty  has  been  before  incidentally  fuggeded,  and  i? 
a maxim  functioned  by  the  unvarying  tenor  of  hiflory 
and  the  uniform  fentiment  of  philofophers  and  ftatef- 
men.  Vain  is  the  boafl  of  the  pured  morals,  the  bed 
intentions,  and  the  mod  ardent  patriotifm,  if,  by  negledt- 
ing  to  cultivate  their  minds,  and  to  acquire  as  much  in- 
formation, as  their  opportunities  and  advantages  will  al- 
low, the  citizens  of  a free  date  are  liable  every  moment 
to  lacrifice  their  deared  privileges  to  the  groundlels 
qlamors  of  unprincipled  fadltoii,  the  infidious  machina- 

tiopij 


[ ] 

iions  of  foreign  interference,  or  the  intereded  intrigues 
of  difappointed  ambition.  While  they  are  taught  to  be- 
lieve,  that  they  are  fubferving  the  real  interefts  of  their 
beloved  country,  they  may  be  inadvertently  Tapping  the 
foundation  of  the  mod  excellent  government,  and  over- 
turning the  nobleft  ftru&ure  of  freedom  upon  their  own 
devoted  heads.  Their  courage,  their  patriotifm,  their 
jealoufy  and  zeal  for  liberty,  thofe  guardian  angels  of 
their  rights,  are  thus  wantonly  diverted  from  their 
original  charge,  and  employed  to  precipitate  their  flave- 
ry  and  ruin.  To  prevent  a calamity  of  fuch  incalcula- 
ble magnitude,  fhould  be  the  earned  wifh  and  mod 
ftrenuous  endeavor  of  every  fincere  friend  of  his  coun- 
try and  mankind.  This  great  objedt  is  to  be  obtained 
not  only  by  adopting  every  eligible  expedient  for  the  ef- 
fablifhment,  fubfifhnce,  and  univerfal  utility  of  public 
and  private  inditutions  of  learning,  but  by  extending  the 
hand  of  liberal  encouragement  to  modeft  unafpiring 
merit,  to  diffident  and  unpatronifed  genius.  While  our 
wife  and  patriotic  legiflators  are  careful  to  reward  with 
peculiar  privileges  every  ufeful  invention  and  ingenious 
produ&ion,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  citizen  on  his  part  to 
co-operate  to  the  extent  of  his  ability  in  fo  defirable  and 
important  a work.  While  our  fupreme  magidrates 
make  the  union  of  eminent  talents  and  inflexible  integ- 
rity their  invariable  object  in  their  nominations  to  offices 
of  refponfibility  and  honor,  our  independent  freemen 
fhould  ever  be  dudious  to  regulate  their  elections  by  the 
fame  excellent  and  infallible  dandard.  By  thus  didin- 
guifhing  and  rewarding  abilities,  and  encouraging  the 
cultivation  and  exertion  of  the  mental  faculties,  the  gen- 
eral diffulion  of  knowledge  will  be  mod  efficacioufly 

promoted, 


[ i-6  ] 


promoted,  to  the  exclufion  of  that  ignorance  and  barb'a- 
rifm,  which  are  altogether  incompatible  with  the  per- 
manent enjoyment  of  rational  liberty. 

The  connexion  between  moral  and  intellectual  im- 
provement, which  is  certainly  natural  and  intimate, 
though  not  abfolutely  infeparable,  furnifhes  a weighty 
argument  to  prove  the  utility  of  a univerfal  diffemination 
of  knowledge,  and  a generous  patronage  of  fuperior 
talents.  Information  and  virtue  are  equally  effential  to 
the  happinefs  and  durable  exigence  of  a free  Hate. 
The  morals  of  a nation  are  ever  found  to  bear  a very 
great,  though  perhaps  not  an  exaCt,  proportion  to  their 
attention  to  literature  and  the  education  of  youth,  and 
their  eflimation  and  encouragement  of  diflinguilhed  abil- 
ities. To  fofter  genius,  then,  and  to  irrigate  with  care 
the  tender  roots  of  fcience,  mud  be  a duty  incumbent' 
equally  on  the  patriot,  the  philofopher,  and  the  chrif- 
tian. 

The  annals  of  every  age  are  replete  with  inftruCtion 
on  this  important  fubjeCt.  From  thefe  we  learn,  that 
thofe  furprifing  revolutions,  which  have  fucceffively 
changed  the  face  of  the  world,  and  which  have  melior- 
ated the  condition  of  humanity,  or  entailed  mifery  and 
flavery  on  fubjugated  millions,  have  generally  been  ef- 
fected by  the  extraordinary  genius  of  a fmgle  man. 
An  Alfred  and  a Peter  could  civilize  their  barbarous 
fubjeCts  ; a Cromwell  could  impofe  both  liberty  and 
fervitude  upon  a people,  who  can  neither  be  free  nor 
Haves  ;*  an  Alexander  and  a Cefar  could  conquer  a 

^ world ; 


* L’Anglois  indompte, 

Qui  ne  pcut  ni  fervir,  lii  vivre  en  liberte. 

Voltaire.  Henriade  Chant.  xer* 


[ >7  ] 

•world  ; and  a WASHINGTON  could  give  in-'-"'-' 
dence,  refpedlability,  and  happinefs  to  his  defp 
prefled,  and  delponding  country.  Men  d;if 
by  fuch  pre-eminent  intellectual  endowments  ken.  '.om 
miffioned  the  plenipotentiaries  of  Heaven  beiow,  to  ex- 
ecute the  purpofes  of  divine  favor  and  difpleafure  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  If  fuch  are  the  powers  and 
prerogatives  of  genius,  we  mu  ft  be  loft  to  every  fenti- 
ment  of  honor,  intereft,  and  juftice,  if  we  do  not 
cheri/h,  reverence,  and  detain  the  celeftial  gueft. 

It  may  not  be  improper  in  this  place  to  obviate  a 
very  natural  objection.  If  fuperior  talents  have  fo  often 
been  employed  to  enllave  mankind,  to  regard  them 
with  marks  of  diftinguilhed  favor  and  encouragement 
in  a free  ftate  may  be  confidered  by  fome  as  dangerous 
to  its  liberties.  To  argue  againft  the  utility  of  any  thing 
from  its  perverfion  and  abufe  is  inconflftent  at  once  with 
candor,  good  logic,  and  the  difcovery  of  truth.  It  is 
granted,  that  an  unprincipled  ambition  and  a fpirit  of 
factious  diforganization  are  ever  to  be  dreaded,  and 
carefully  guarded  againft,  in  proportion  to  the  natural 
or  acquired  abilities,  with  which  they  happen  to  be  uni- 
ted. But  in  a country  like  ours,  where  a well  inform- 
ed community’can  think,  judge,  and  aCt  for  itfelf,  it  is 
fcarcely  pofiible,  that  the  intriguing  arts  of  the  moft  af- 
piring  demagogue,  though  fupported  by  uncommon  in- 
tellectual powers,  and  concealed  under  the  impofing  veil 
of  enthufl aftic  patriotifm,  fhould  long  efcape  detection 
from  enlightened  and  lynx-eyed  republicans,  or  acquire 
a dangerous  and  lafling  afcendancy  over  the  public  mind. 
While  the  general  diffufion  of  knowledge  among  our 
citizens  renders  us  thus  fecure  from  the  perverfion  of 
genius,  it  is  Angularly  fortunate,  that  our  fecuvity  is 
B 3 erected 


[ i8  ] 

ereCted  on  a foundation,  which  is  daily  increafing  in 
drength  and  dability.  It  is  the  peculiar  felicity  of 
Columbia,  that  (he  can  without  hazard  commit  the  pre- 
cious cafket  of  her  deared  rights  to  the  cudody  of  fuch 
of  her  fons,  as  are  the  bed  qualified  by  their  fuperior 
talents  to  protect  and  preferve  fo  invaluable  a treafure. 

As  a confiderable  degree  of  national  pride  is  certain- 
ly judifiable  and  laudable,  to  enlid  fo  generous,  benefi- 
cial, and  influential  a paflion  under  the  banners  of  genius 
cannot  be  confidered  as  difingenuous,  and  may  be  pro- 
ductive of  the  happled  effects.  It  cannot  be  doubted, 
that  our  eftimation,  refpeftability,  celebrity,  and  rela- 
tive importance  among  the  nations  of  the  earth,  as  well 
as  our  political  fecurity,  mud  in  a great  meafure  depend 
on  the  reputation  of  our  citizens  for  abilities  and  learn- 
ing. This  pofition,  founded  in  reafon  and  fupported 
by  obfervation  and  hiflory,  places  beyond  the  reach  of 
controverfy  the  utility  and  neceflity  of  a liberal  encour- 
agement of  genius  in  a republic  like  ours.  Indulged, 
as  we  are,  with  privileges  and  advantages  of  every  kind 
fuperior  to  thofe  enjoyed  by  any  other  nation,  it  fliould 
be  our  ambition,  our  dudy,  and  our  mod  earned  en- 
deavor, to  render  our  country,  as  confpicuous  in  the 
annals  of  the  world  by  her  talents,  literature,  and  tade, 
by  her  improvements  in  art  and  her  acquifitions  in 
fcience,  as  (lie  now  is  by  the  virtue,  affluence,  and  en- 
terprifing  fpirit  of  her  citizens,  the  equity  of  her  laws, 
the  excellence  of  her  conditution,  and  her  unexam- 
pled profperity. 

It  now  remains  to  prove  by  a few  arguments  drawn 
from  incontedable  faCt,  that  United  Columbia  is  infe- 
rior to  no  nation  on  earth  in  the  riched  endowments  of 
fitney  and  intellect. 


The 


[ 19  3 

The  juftly  celebrated  Abbe  R.aynal  has  ventured  to 
affert,  that  “ America  has  not  yet  produced  one  good 
poet,  one  able  mathematician,  one  man  of  genius  in  a’ 
hngle  art  or  fcience.”  This  falfe,  unqualified,  and 
abufive  affertion  has  been  ably  refuted  by  him,  who  now 
fufiains  the  fecond  rank  in  our  federal  government, 
and  fo  far  as  refpeds  the  United  States  has  been  fince 
retraded  by  the  ingenuous  author.  A few  examples 
will  be  fufficient  to  evince  the  propriety  and  juffice  of 
this  timely  recantation. 

Thofe  extraordinary  geniufes,  whofe  fame  is  co-ex- 
tenfive  with  mankind  and  permanent  as  the  prefent 
fyftem  of  things,  are  fuch  thinly  fcattered  “ miracles 
below,”  that  though  we  cannot  boatl  a Homer,  a Vir- 
gil, a Taffo,  a Shakefpeare,  a Milton,  a Pope,  a Buffon, 
nor  a Voltaire,  yet  we  (hall  not  acknowledge  ourfelves 
inferior  to  the  other  nations  of  the  world,  unlefs  they 
can  exhibit  fome  recent  or  exjllng  fuperior  to  any,  that 
our  rifing  country  has  hitherto  produced.  The  impofli- 
bility  of  this  we  do  not  hefitate  to  maintain,  and  we 
rely  with  confidence  on  the  following  proofs. 

That  the  prefent  century  has  not  afforded  a rival  to 
our  illuftrious  Franklin  in  the  walks  of  philofophy  is  a 
truth,  which  no  one  will  prefume  to  difpute.  In  vari- 
ous improvements  of  utility,  in  important  and  furprifing 
difcoveries  in  phyfics,  and  in  fuccefsful  refearches  into 
the  hitherto  unexplored  arcana  of  nature,  he  was 
fcarcely  furpaffed  by  the  immortal  Newton.  As  a pro- 
ficient in  aftronomy,  and  as  a mechanician  both  pradi- 
cal  and  theoretical,  our  feif-taught  Rittenhoufe  was 
fecond  to  none.  The  philofophic  Winthrop,  whofe 
memory  will  ever  be  dear  to  his  grateful  alma  mater , 
long  Ihone  a far  of  the  firft  magnitude  in  the  firma- 
ment 


[ 20  ] 

ment  of  Science.  The  ingenuity  of  our  artifts  is  ex- 
ceeded by  nothing  but  their  indudry,  and  the  labors  of 
a Pope  and  a Cox  are  too  univerfally  known  and  ad- 
mired to  derive  any  additional  celebrity  from  our  par- 
tial applaufe.  We  have  feen  our  Trumbull,  our  Savage, 
and  our  Copley,  bearing  off  the  firft  honors  of  the  pen- 
cil in  England,  and  the  prefidential  chair  of  a Britilh 
Academy  of  Paintings  filled  and  adorned  by  an  Ameri- 
can Weft.  Our  afllduous  and  intelligent  Morfe  has 
deferved  well  of  his  country,,  and  ftands  unrivalled  in 
the  geographical  department.  In  poetry  we  can  boaft 
a Livingdon,  a Barlow,  a Dwight,  an  Humphries,  a 
Sewall,  a Warren,  a Condantia,  a Philenia,  and  a 
Menander,  with  many  others  of  either  fex,  whole 
names  would  form  too  large  a catalogue  for  our  prefent 
purpofe.  In  the  walks  of  pleafantry  and  humor  the 
facetious  Hopkinfon  was  equalled  by  few  ; but  in  genu- 
ine wit,  in  laugh-exciting  burlefque,  in  keen-edged  fa- 
tire,  and  in  irrefiftible  ridicule,  our  Trumbull  has  fairly 
didanced  the  heretofore  inimitable  Butler,  and  that 
even  by  the  fuffrages  of  Englifn  criticifm.  In  hidory  a 
Belknap,  a Ramfay,  and  a Minot,  have  done  equal 
honor  to  language,  to  truth,  to  their  country,  and  to 
themfelves.  Of  biography  we  have  been  favored  with 
fome  promifing  fpecimens,  and  fcarcely  a branch  of 
curious,  ufeful,  or  ornamental  learning  can  be  named, 
which  has  not  produced  the  abled  proficients.  From 
the  learned  profeflions  numbers  might  be  adduced,  who 
would  not  fuffer  by  a comparifon  with  their  mod  dif- 
tinguifhed  tranfatlantic  brethren.  But  among  fo  many, 
who  deferve  our  applaufe,  we  dare  not  attempt  any  in- 
vidious didimdions.  With  heart-felt  pleafure  do  we 

behold 


[ *1  3 

behold  the  fird  office  in  our  nation  dignified  and  adora- 
ed  by  a fon  of  Harvard*  whofe  “ Defence  of  the 
American  Conditutions,r  is  the  admiration  of  Europe, 
the  oracle  of  every  enlightened  datefman,  and  the- 
dandard  o'f  excellence  as  a difquifition  on  one  of  the 
mod  momentous  fubjefts,  that  ever  employed  the  talents 
of  man.  In  extenfive  political  information,  in  the  arts 
of  negociatiom  and  finance,  in  the  all-important  fcience 
of  government,  as  well  as  in  the  nobleft  intellectual 
endowments,  a Jay,  a Hamilton,  a Jefferfon,  and  art 
ADAMS,  may  challenge  the-  world  to  produce  their 
fuperior. 

But  our  greated  boad,  our  brighted  ornament,  the 
pride  of  Columbia,  the  delight  of  mankind,  and  the 
riched  gem  in  the  cabinet  of  humanity,  remains  yet  to 
be  named.  Vain  were  the  wilh,  and  fruitlefs  the  at- 
tempt, to  do  jadice  to  the  merits  of  the  illudrious 
WASHINGTON.  As  a hero,  invincible  ; as  a 
general,  unrivalled  ; as  a writer,  incomparable  ; as  a 
datefman,  unequalled ; and  as  a man,  inimitable; — he 
may  with  judice  be  pronounced  the  mod  unexceptiona- 
ble, the  mod  finifired,  the  mod  godlike  human  charac- 
ter, that  ever  adted  a part  on  the  theatre  of  the  world. 
While  matchlefs  virtue  lhall  be  revered  ; while  tran- 
fcendent  talents  lhall  command  refpedt  while  the  mod 
brilliant  and  beneficial  achievements  in-  war,  and  labors 
ao  lefs  arduous  and  important  in  peace,  lhall  defer ve 
applaufe  ; and  while  the  love  of  liberty  remains  inhe- 
rent in  the  human  heart ; — the  name  of  W ASH1NG- 
TON  lhall  dand  enrolled  among  the  greated  benefac- 
tors of  mankind  ; his  memory  lhall  be  cherilhed  with 
affedtlon  by  every  grateful  fucceeding  generation  ; and 

the 


t 32  3 

the  amaranthine  garland  of  fame,  which  now  adorns 
his  brow,  fhall  blofTom  and  flourifh  with  increafing  fra* 
grance,  vigor,  and  beauty,  till  time  and  nature  fhall  be 
no  more.  And  when  the  great  terreftrial  drama  fhall 
be  clofed,  and  the  curtain  fall,  he  will  be  applauded  by 
the  grand  auditory  of  the  affembled  univerfe,  and 
crowned  with  the  unfading  laurel  of  felicity,  unbound- 
ed as  his  benevolence,  indefcribable  as  bis  worth,  and 
immortal  as  his  glory. 

From  the  few  examples,  which  have  now  been  feleCf- 
ed,  may  we  not  with  the  utmoft  fafety  and  propriety 
conclude,  that  United  Columbia  is  inferior  to  no  nation 
on  earth  in  the  richeft  endowments  of  fancy  and  intel- 
lect ? And  when  we  confider,  that  our  country  has 
fcarcely  yet  arrived  at  a date  of  political  maturity,  and 
refleCt  for  a moment  on  the  numerous  difficulties,  which 
her  infancy  and  childhood  have  had  to  encounter,  we 
have  the  fatisfaCtion  to  believe,  that  the  prefent  period 
is  but  the  dawn  of  Columbian  genius,  and  we  look  for- 
ward with  tranfports  of  joy  to  the  brighter  glories  of 
its  meridian  day.  With  confidence  and  with  rapture 
do  we  anticipate  the  not  far  diftant  era,  when  the 
United  States  of  America,  the  afylum  of  liberty,  the 
emporium  of  wealth,  and  the  permanent  refidence  of 
virtue  and  happinefs,  fhall  become  the  nurfery  of 
GENIUS,  the  garden  of  art,  fcience,  and  literature, 
the  feat  of  the  Mufes,  the  Athens  of  the  age,  and  the 
admiration  of  the  world. 


FINIS. 


